Reese Henderson, Shareholder, GrayRobinson, P.A.
Reese has been recognized as an expert in construction law by The Florida Bar as a board certified construction attorney since 2006. He has been selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers from 2011 through 2020. He was also selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America from 2017 through 2020.
Reese has more than 20 years of experience handling a variety of construction-related matters for owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, materialmen, sureties, manufacturers and condominium associations. His experience includes:
- Constructions liens and bonds
- Construction defects
- Construction arbitration
- Construction mediation
- Construction litigation
- Contract drafting and review
- Payment and performance bonds
- Pre-Suit dispute resolution
- Construction license complaints and defense
Contract Drafting and Negotiation
Reese’s experience includes drafting and negotiating construction contracts for owners, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. He negotiated the prime contract for a $22 million power plant expansion project in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He also negotiated a $9 million major tenant build out for a prominent downtown Jacksonville office building. Reese has substantial experience with the AIA and DBIA form contract documents and has drafted modifications of these form documents to suit many different kinds of projects, both commercial and residential.
Construction Pre-Suit Dispute Resolution
Much of Reese’s experience involves counseling clients through disputes before they become litigation. Reviewing the contract and applicable facts with a client can provide reassurance as to the client’s legal rights and also provide insights into how to resolve a dispute early in the process.
Construction Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation
Reese has handed litigation, arbitration and mediation matters in state and federal court and before the American Arbitration Association in both Florida and Georgia. In addition to being a board certified construction attorney, Reese is also a Florida Supreme Court-Certified Circuit Civil Mediator, and he brings his experience as a mediator to bear when assisting clients with difficult construction disputes.
Reese has litigated, arbitrated and mediated construction lien and payment bond claims, construction defect claims, insurance coverage for construction defect claims, and breach of contract and termination claims, including liquidated damages and acceleration damages claims. Construction defect matters he has handled include roof design and construction, mechanical equipment design and construction, building envelope performance and post-tensioned concrete building pad failure issues.
Construction Licensing Matters
Reese advises clients on construction licensing, including assisting with dual qualification applications which require an appearance before the Construction Industry Licensing Board. He has also assisted clients with filing and defending complaints for contractor licensing discipline before the CILB.
Construction Law Institute and Construction Law Committee
Reese served a three-year term as Chair of the Florida Construction Law Institute, which is an advanced continuing education seminar for board certified construction attorneys put on by The Florida Bar. Reese currently serves as Chair of the Florida Construction Law Committee (CLC), which is a constituent committee of the Florida Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section of The Florida Bar. The CLC is active in reviewing draft legislation affecting the construction industry and its members frequently participate in the drafting process with industry groups to ensure their proposals work within the existing framework of the law.
Presentations
Reese is a frequent lecturer on construction law topics, including the following:
“Ethical Considerations,” 9th Annual Construction Law in Florida, October 14, 2020
“How to Overcome Coronavirus Florida Lien Rights Challenges,” Levelset Webinar, April 24, 2020
“Criminal Traps in Civil Litigation,” Jacksonville Bar Association Annual Bench & Bar Conference, February 26, 2020
Altman Contractors, Inc. v. Crum & Forster Specialty Insurance Company: Balancing the Interests Surrounding Potential Insurance Coverage for Chapter 558 Notices of Claim, presentation to the Joint Meeting of the Construction Law Committee and the Insurance and Surety Committee of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar, St. Augustine, Florida, February 23, 2018
Insurance & Indemnity, ABA Forum on the Construction Law Course on Construction Contracts, Jacksonville, Florida, February 26, 2016
Georgia Lien Law, Associated Builders and Contractors First Coast Legal Series, Jacksonville, Florida, August 2015
AIA Form Documents: A312 Bond Form (2010) & B101 (2007) Contract Documents, and A133 (2009) and A121CMc (2003), The Florida Bar Advanced Construction Law Certification Review Course, Orlando, Florida, March 2015
Construction Liens in Arbitration, The Florida Bar 8th Annual Construction Law Institute, Orlando, Florida, March 2015
AIA Form Documents: A312 Bond Form (2010) & B101 (2007) Contract Documents, and A133 (2009) and A121CMc (2003), The Florida Bar Advanced Construction Law Certification Review Course, Orlando, Florida, March 2014
AIA Form Documents: A312 Bond Form (2010) & B101 (2007) Contract Documents, and A133 (2009) and A121CMc (2003), The Florida Bar Construction Certification Review Course, March 2013
Prompt Payment in Florida, The Florida Bar Construction Certification Review Course, April 2011
Preparing Your Construction Contracts for Profit and Protection, Northeast Florida Builders Association, September 2010
Construction Lien Law in Florida, Lorman Seminars, July 2010
Contracts for Remodelers, Northeast Florida Builders Association, September 2009
AIA Contacts, Lorman Seminars, August 2008
Preparing Your Construction Contracts for Profit and Protection, Northeast Florida Builders Association, April 2008
Construction Lien Law, Lorman Seminars, May 2008
Preparing Your Construction Contracts for Profit and Protection, Northeast Florida Builders Association, April 2007
Construction Lien Law in Florida, Lorman Seminars, May 2006
Articles
Altman Contractors, Inc. v. Crum & Forster Specialty Insurance Company: Balancing the Interests Surrounding Potential Insurance Coverage for Ch. 558 Notices of Claim, The Florida Bar Journal, November 2018
Hard Hat Blawg 